Legacy

Over 100 years of sustainability

With our roots dating back to the late 19th century, we have evolved from a small rendering company into the world’s leading innovative developer and producer of sustainable organic ingredients. Our unique broad product and service portfolio is active all over the world, customized for high end markets and local needs.

Our journey

Our legacy as the original recycler motivates us to continue to lead the way in creating sustainable solutions for today’s and future generations.

Our history

1882

Ira C. Darling & Company is formed in Chicago, Illinois

Ira C. Darling & Company is formed in Chicago, Illinois, as a partnership between the Swift family meatpacking business of Chicago, Illinois, and the Darling family fertilizer company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island

1891

Darling & Company an Illinois Corporation is formed

Darling & Company, an Illinois corporation, is formed

1909

Acquires the Van Iderstine Company

Darling & Co acquires The Van Iderstine Company, expanding into the New York area

1920

The acquisition and building of facilities throughout the Great Lakes region

The acquisition and building of facilities throughout the Great Lakes region enables the firm to expand operations in feed, fertilizers and fatty acids

1962

Creation of the Darling-Delaware Company

The Van Iderstine Company and several other Darling-acquired entities merge to create Darling-Delaware Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation

1986

Purchase of Darling-Delaware Company by an investor group

A Texas investor group purchases Darling-Delaware Company, Inc. and moves the company headquarters from Chicago to Dallas

1994

Adoption of 'Fresh start' accounting treatment

January: the company adopts ´Fresh Start´ accounting treatment for restructure

August: becomes a public company by registering bondholders' stock

September: listed on NASDAQ

1996

Acquisition of The Standard Tallow Corporation

Acquisition of The Standard Tallow Corporation in New Jersey

1997

Listing moved to AMEX

September: the listing is moved to AMEX
November: effects 3 for 1 stock split

Acquisition of TORVAC, Inc., a Chicago grease trap service business

2000

The firm initiates collection fees

The firm initiates collection fees

May 2002

Completes debt for equity restructure by issuing 46.7 million shares of common stock

Completes debt for equity restructure by issuing 46.7 million shares of common stock (75% of new outstanding) and $10 million of preferred shares to lenders, in exchange for cancellation of $66.3 million in indebtedness

2003

Randall C. Stuewe appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

February: Randall C. Stuewe appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Darling International has approximately 80 locations in the U.S., with ~1870 employees.

July: DAR joins Russell 2000 Index

December: $35 million in senior subordinated notes are issued

2004

Completes redemption of all preferred stock

March: completes redemption of all preferred stock

April: refinances senior bank debt

2006

April: refinances bank debt with new $175 million bank facility

May: acquires NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, LLC., large Midwest rendering company

June: retired $35 million in senior subordinated notes

2007

Moves listing to NYSE

August 2008

Acquisition of API Recycling Inc.

Acquisition of API RECYCLING INC., a division of American Proteins, Inc. providing used cooking oil collection services in Georgia and surrounding states

2009

Acquisition of Boca Industries

February: acquisition of BOCA INDUSTRIES, a grease trap services business in Georgia and surrounding states

September: initial steps are announced to form a joint venture with Valero Energy Corporation with a view to building a renewable diesel production facility capable of producing over 135 million gallons per year, adjacent to Valero's St. Charles refinery near Norco, Lousiana

December: acquisition of business units from SANIMAX USA Inc.

December 2010

Acquires Griffin Industries, Inc.

Issues $250 million of senior subordinated notes due in 2018

Acquires GRIFFIN INDUSTRIES, INC., a provider of rendering, bakery residual and used cooking oil recycling services in Southeast United States. Increases Company size from approximately 80 to 120 locations, and employees from approximately 1,870 to 3,300.

2011

Completes secondary offering for 24.2 million common shares

January: completes secondary offering for 24.2 million common shares and applies proceeds to reduce debt

Summer 2016

Two new wet pet food plants in US

3rd Qtr 2016

Unique partnerships with two US poultry producers

Through a unique partnership with two of our customers, new protein conversion plants were built on the property of two of the country's major poultry producers, CASE FARMS in Winesburg, OH, and PECO FOODS in Pocahontas, Ark. Such a partnership is a first in our industry.